About the Program

Our Vision

We envision a healthier world through environmental stewardship.

Our Mission

We support the University of Maryland Extension (UME) mission by educating residents about safe, effective and sustainable horticultural practices that build healthy gardens, landscapes, and communities.

Our History

The UME Master Gardener Program began in 1978 as a means to extend research-based knowledge to the general public by providing horticultural and pest management expertise to help protect and improve Maryland’s natural resources. Today, this popular program can be found in 20 Maryland counties and Baltimore City.

UME Master Gardeners are volunteers who combine their love of plants, people, and the environment to help residents in their communities solve problems and make environmentally-sound decisions.

Our Education and Outreach Programs

Ask a Master Gardener Plant Clinics

Outreach education about plant and pest problems. Residents get their questions answered at plant clinics typically held at libraries and farmers markets.

Bay-Wise Landscaping

Better water and soil quality through smarter, environmentally-friendly gardening. These activities are directly related to Bay-Wise program education and certification.

Environmental Horticulture

Education around proper cultural practices, specific groups of plants, and types of gardening. This education is intended to help minimize or eliminate the negative environmental impacts of gardening.

Grow It Eat It (Backyard and Community Food Production)

Teaching and promoting backyard and community food production. This also includes demonstration gardens, Grow It Eat It Preserve It, and produce donations to food banks.

We embody the University's land-grant mission with a commitment to eliminate hunger, preserve our natural resources, improve quality of life, and empower the next generation through world-class education.